Non-planar key shaped electronic key

ABSTRACT

An electronic key includes a rigid key shaped member having a blade and a grip. The blade includes a three-dimensional engagement surface including a slot or the like so that the electronic key may be inserted into a lock in only the correct manner. A smart chip is located at an end of the blade opposite the grip. As the blade can only be inserted into the lock in a single orientation, the chip will always be in a proper position to be identified by the lock. A resilient grip portion provides an improved grip and further conveys the less disposable nature of the key to thereby facilitate transition to electronic locks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic key, and moreparticularly to a rigid non-planar electronic key.

[0002] Electronic keys are generally known. One type of electronic keyis a rectangular credit card shaped device which is inserted into a slotto unlock an electronic lock as commonly utilized within a hotel.Another electronic key is a flat plastic device which is shaped to havean outline generally similar to a conventional metal key. Overall,conventional electronic keys are relatively thin, inexpensive devices.

[0003] Disadvantageously, conventional electronic keys are relativelyflimsy because they are manufactured to be essentially disposable. Suchconventional electronic keys may be somewhat difficult for some peopleto use because the flat electronic key may be inserted into the lockslot in a multiple of orientations. This is a particular disadvantage ofthe credit card shaped electronic key. Failure to unlock electroniclocks is therefore often due to improper insertion of the key which maylead to a reduced acceptance of electronic locks.

[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to increases the robustness ofelectronic keys and minimize improper insertion to facilitate transitionto electronic locks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The electronic key according to the present invention includes arigid key shaped member having a blade and a grip. The blade includes athree-dimensional engagement surface including a slot or the like sothat the electronic key may be inserted into a lock in only the correctmanner. A smart chip is located at an end of the blade opposite thegrip. As the blade can only be inserted into the lock in a singleorientation, the chip will always be in a proper position to beidentified by the lock. As the electronic key is manufactured of a rigidmaterial the key may be utilized to rotate the lock in a conventionalmanner thereby operating a locking bolt or the like. A resilient gripportion provides an improved grip and further conveys the lessdisposable nature of the key to thereby facilitate transition toelectronic locks.

[0006] The present invention therefore increases the robustness ofelectronic keys and minimize improper insertion to facilitate transitionto electronic locks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The various features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings thataccompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of an electronic key of thepresent invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a front view of the electronic key; and

[0010]FIG. 3 is a front view of the electronic key blade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a general perspective view of an electronic key10 for a lock 12. It should be understood that various devices willbenefit from the electronic key and lock designed according to thepresent invention. Moreover, the lock 12 may include rotational ornon-rotational features. That is, the electronic key 10 is preferablymanufactured to provide torsional rigidity which permits the key 10 tobe inserted into and to rotate the lock 12 in a conventional manner.

[0012] The electronic key 10 includes a rigid key shaped member 14having a blade 16 and a grip 18. The key shaped member 14 is preferablymanufactured of a rigid non-metallic material (illustrated in phantom inFIGS. 2 and 3). The blade 16 includes a three-dimensional engagementsurface (FIG. 2) including a slot 20 (also illustrated in FIG. 3) or thelike so that the electronic key may be inserted into the lock 12 in onlythe correct manner. The slot 20 is preferably defined along thelongitudinal length of the blade 16.

[0013] A smart chip 22 is located at an end of the blade 16 opposite thegrip 18. Smart chips are known and various identification devices willalso benefit from the present invention. As the blade can only beinserted into the lock in a single orientation, the chip 22 will alwaysbe in a proper position to be identified by the lock. Moreover, as theelectronic key 10 is manufactured of a rigid material the key 10 may beutilized to rotate the lock 12 in a conventional manner therebyoperating a locking bolt (illustrated schematically at 2; FIG. 1) or thelike. Requiring rotation of the key 10 to open the lock 12 providesfurther security and familiarity.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 3, the grip 18 includes a first non-metallicportion 24 formed contiguous with the blade 16 as defined by the phantomlike portion. Preferably, the first non-metallic grip portion 24 isovermolded with a resilient grip portion 26 manufactured of a secondnon-metallic material which is less rigid than the first material suchas a rubber or the like. The resilient grip portion 26 provides animproved grip and further conveys the less disposable nature of the key10 to thereby facilitate transition to electronic locks. An aperture 28is preferably included in the grip 18 to secure the electronic key 10 ina manner similar to conventional mechanical keys.

[0015] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by thelimitations within. Many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferredembodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one ofordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modificationswould come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For thatreason the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic key comprising: a grip portionmanufactured of a first non-metallic material; a blade portionmanufactured of said first non-metallic material formed contiguous withsaid grip portion, said blade portion having a slot; and a smart chipmounted within said blade portion opposite said grip portion
 2. Theelectronic key as recited in claim 1, wherein said blade portion andsaid grip portion are non-planar.
 3. The electronic key as recited inclaim 1, further comprising a resilient grip portion at least partiallyencasing said grip portion, said resilient grip portion manufactured ofa second non-metallic material less rigid than said first material. 4.The electronic key as recited in claim 3, wherein said resilient gripportion comprises a rubber material.
 5. An electronic key comprising: anon-planar grip portion manufactured of a first non-metallic material; anon-planar blade portion manufactured of said first non-metallicmaterial formed contiguous with said grip portion, said blade portionhaving a slot; and a smart chip mounted within said blade portionopposite said grip portion
 6. The electronic key as recited in claim 5,further comprising a resilient grip portion at least partially encasingsaid grip portion, said resilient grip portion manufactured of a secondnon-metallic material less rigid than said first material.
 7. A methodof operating an electronic lock comprising the steps of: (1) insertingan electronic key into a lock; (2) identifying the electronic key; and(3) rotating the electronic key to retract a locking bolt.
 8. A methodas recited in claim 7, wherein step (2) further comprises identifying asmart chip within a blade of the key.
 9. A method as recited in claim 7,wherein step (3) further comprises unlocking the electronic lock inresponse to said step (2).